Means for measuring stiffness of lumber



July 27, 1965 H. A. KELLER MEANS FOR MEASU'RING STIFFNESS 0F LUMBER 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 24. 1961 INVENTolm Harold Keller kan H. A. KELLER 3,196,672

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Harold A. Kel l er July 27, 1965 H. A. KELLER MEANS FOR MEASURING STIFFNESS 0F LUMBER 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed July 24. 1961 INVENTOR. Hij/ald ,4. Keller United States Patent O $6,672 MEANS EGR MEASURENG STIEFNESS F LUMBER Harold A. Keller, fCiarliston, Wash., assigner to Potlatch Forests, inc., Lewiston, idaho, a corporation of Delaware rues .any 24, 196i, ser. No. 126,284 l0 Claims. (Cl. 72E- 100) This invention relates to a novel apparatus designed to effectively carry out the steps of the method.

In order to better utilize the lumber produced from a modern mill it is desirable that some indication of the strength of each board be provided. The non-uniform nature of the board makes a spot check of wood strength impractical. For this same reason any destructive test of wood strength is also inaccurate since no two pieces of a board are identical in structure. Thus it is necessary to provide a non-destructive test of each individual board as it is produced. Previous testing devices have been constructed for individual tests but are not designed for production line work. The present invention contemplates a method of measuring the stiffness of lumber. The apparatus described below is designed for high speed production work and may be eifectively utilized at the output end of a modern planing machine.

It is a first object of this invention to provide a testing process and an apparatus for carrying out this process which is capable of continuous use so as to be effective at the speed required in a modern mill. ln order to produce this result the boards being fed through the apparatus are continuously deilected and readings are taken periodically by electronic devices capable of extremely high speed operation.

lt is another object of this invention to provide a testing apparatus which will require no manual adjustment during its use. The machine is self aligning in order to compensate for twist and warp and has adequate accommodation for slight variations in board thickness which may occur in boards being fed from a planing machine.

lt is another object of this invention to provide a machine which has few moving parts. The machine utilizes driving rollers but the pivotal parts of the machine which produce the desired deflection are fixed relative to one another so as to provide uniform deiiection in every board. Thus the results of tests run through this machine may be correlated with described laboratory procedures in order to accurately judge the efiiciency of this testing mechanism. The uniformity of this testing procedure is most important. p

These and further objects of this invention will be evident from a study of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred form of the apparatus designed to carry out this invention. It is to be understood that this apparatus is merely one example of a physical embodiment that can beutilized in the present invention. For this reason the machine shown in the drawings is not intended to limit or restrict the scope of the invention except as that scope is defined in the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic view of the mechanical machinery and a schematic wiring diagram of the electronic components designed to yield the desired testing result;

FlGURE 2 is a side elevation view of the left hand side of the machine;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation view of the right hand portion of the machine;

FIGURE 4 is a top View of that portion of the machine shown in FIGURE 2;

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lgbi Patented July 27, 1965 ACe FIGURE 5 is atop view of that portion of the machine shown in FIGURE 3;

FTGURE 6 is an enlarged view of the deflection roll assembly as seen along line 6 6 in FlGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a view of the dellection roll assembly as seen along line 7 7 in FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a section view taken along line S-S in FTGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is an end View of the deflection roll assembly as seen along line 9--9 in FIGURE 6;

FGURE l0 is a vertical section view taken along line lit-@ in FIGURE 4;

FlGURE l1 is an end View of the machine as seen along the left hand end of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE l2 is a sectional view taken along line 12--2 in FIGURE 2.

The basic method with which this description is concerned is quite simple. Since the testing procedure is designed specifically for use at the output of a high speed planing unit, the testing method must be continuous and capable of high speed resolution. This is accomplished by utilizing the longitudinal movement of the boards without interruption. As the boards move longitudinally along their lengths in a continuation of the movement through the planing mill, they are bent in two vertical directions along the testing unit. Actually each portion of the board is first deflected in one direction and then in the other as it traverses the testing apparatus. This opposed deflection removes the effect of bow and warp in the boards. It also eliminates any effect of board weight on the final strength determination. As the boards are deflected the force required for the fixed detlection is registered by a force cell associated with each deflecion unit. These cells are electronically monitored periodically to register the force necessary to produce the fixed deilection. The force indications are then analyzed electronically and are averaged to produce the final stitiness indicator. This indicator can then be utilized to automatically operate a grading stamper or may be utilized to merely produce a visual indicator for the operator of the machine. The means by which the final indication is utilized are unimportant to the instant invention, which is primarily concerned with the mechanical aspects of the testing device.

The basic mechanical apparatus is shown diagrammatically in FIGURE l. The entire apparatus is mounted on a fixed framework 1). The framework lil is positioned longitudinally at the output end of a planing unit (not shown). Thus a board emerging from the planing unit will be fed directly into the apparatus mounted in the framework. 1li. The framework lil mounts a first pair of fixed rollers 353-79. These rollers are powered rollers and are mounted on framework 10 about tixed transverse rotational axes. Directly below the first pair of rollers S-JS is a second pair of rollers 46-47. The rollers 4e- 47 are mounted on a movable frame 2t) which is carried by framework lil and which is biased upwardly as seen in FIGURE l, so as to urge the second pair of rollers z5-47 toward the first pair of rollers 3-39- In this manner boards l1 passing through the apparatus will be engaged tangentially by rollers 38-39 and 46-47 at two longitudinally spaced positions. Intermediate these positions is a first deflection roll 13 which is mounted on the frame 2.6 intermediate the axes of the second pair of rollers i6-47. The upper periphery of this first deflection roll I3 is positioned at an elevation above that of the lines of contact of board 11 with the second pair of rollers 46-47. Any deviation in elevation between the first deflection roll 13 and the second pair of rollers lit-w47 is substantially fixed and constitutes the fixed amount of deflection required to carry out the method of testing.

Directly to the right of this mechanism is a second 'deliection unit designed to deect the board in an opposite direction to that created by the first deflection roll 13. This unit utilizes a thir-d pair of rollers 1Gb-101 which are `longitudinally aligned with the rst pair of rollers 3% 39 and which are mounted on the framework about fixed transverse rotational axes. The third pair of rollers 1119-101 are backed up by a fourth pair of rollers 10d-167. These last named rollers 10d-1117 are spring biased toward the third pair of rollers 19d-161 so that the board 11 is again contacted at two longitudinally spaced positions. Intermediate the axes of the third pair of rollers 10Q-101 is a second deflection roll 16. The -roll 16 is mounted directly on the framework 1d at a xed elevation relative to the third pair of rollers 1d@- 101. Thus the board 11 is lfirst deflected a fixed amount by the roll 13 and is subsequently deflected the same amount by roll 16. The arrangement utilizes additional rollers 17 which are identical to those in the four pairs of rollers just described. Thus each group of rollers is i-dentical and consists of two large rollers with intermediate small subsidiary rollers 1S.

The grouped rollers are provided to minimize the effects of outside forces on the readings of the deflection rolls 13, 16. If all boards were perfectly straight, the additional rollers 17, 18 of the infeed and outfeed ends would be unnecessary, as the effe-ct of end forces from la planer, etc., would be identical for each board and could therefore be eliminated from the final determination. In any event, the middle group would still be necessary, since they must minimize the effect reflected to the first deflection roll 13 due to the leading end of boards striking the guides and rolls of the second bending unit. This would not be balanced by the opposite effect reflected to the second deflection roll 16 due to the trailing end of the board passing through the first bending unit. Due to the warped nature of boards, such isolation is required also at the -infeed 'and outfeed ends of the overall assembly. These isolation roller assemblies must cancel one another in overall effect.

As illustrated in `FIGURE 1, the bending effect desired is that of a simple beam with free ends. For this reason, the subsidiary rollers 18 and additional rollers 17 must be located so as to .contact the board 11 along lines vtangent to the board surfaces at the adjacent supporting rollers 3S, 46 and 101, 197. This same tangential relationship is utilized in positioning the center group of rollers 18 between the supporting rollers 39, t7 and 10i), 106. With this arrangement, the isolating rollers 18 do not affect the loading of a perfect board from a simple beam. The effects of a warped board passing between rollers 18 is cancelled by its passage through the remaining isolating sections.

For convenience of description the apparatus has been split into two units. These two units are integrally formed on the basic framework 10 and may be joined in any suitable manner as desired. The additional support rollers 17 have been eliminated from the detailed drawings in order to conserve space. it is to be understood that each group of rollers consi-sts of two large rollers and two intermediate subsidiary rollers 18 :arranged tangentially to the bending of a -simple beam. Since these roller assemblies are identical lat each location along framework 10, the partial showing evidenced in the drawings is `deemed sufficient. The left hand unit, which will first be described, -is shown in FIGURES 2, 4, l0, ll and l2. This unit has the basic fixed framework 10 which includes a pair of ylongitudinal channels 21, spaced along the sides of the unit. The longitudinal channels 21 are common to both deflection units and constitute the main portion of the framework 10. This framework is supported by upright channels 22 which rest on the supporting floor surface. The lower ends of the channels 22 are joined by bottom angle braces 2.3. The top ends of the upright channels 22 are joined by top cross braces Z5.

The channels 22 are further joined by transverse intermediate cross braces 26 and diagonal braces 24, Thus the framework 11i for the left hand unit consists of a rectangular rigid box frame.

Mounted within the confines of the framework 1t) is a first movable frame 2t). This movable frame Zd consists of a pair of side support channels Z7 which are positioned parallel to the longitudinal ichannel 21 and which are located within the area bounded by the upright channels 22. The -channels 27 are joined by transverse tubes ZS to complete a rigid, rectangular frame. This frame Ztl is mounted for vertical motion relative to framework 1li. This is accomplished by Imeans of transverse support shafts 30 which are mounted on the upright channels 122 by means of vertical-ly adjustable bearing assemblies 31. The bearing assemblies 31 may be varied in height by adjustment of screws 32. Fixed to the support shafts 3i) are crank arms 33. The crank arms 33 extend outwardly from the axes of shafts 30 and are designed to guide the movement of frame 20. At the yleft hand side, as seen in FIGURE l0, the crankarms 33 are joined to ears 341 formed on the lower -surface of the support channels 27 by means of connecting links 35. At the right hand side of this figure the crank arms 33 are joined to enlarged ears 36, yalso formed on the lower surfaces of channels Z7, by means of a connecting pin 37. The linkage just described provides a parallelogram support for the frame Ztl with play included so as to prevent binding of the guide mechanism during movement of frame 2d.

The framework 10 is provided with a first pair of longitudinally spaced rollers 38-39. Each of these rollers 38459 is a hollow cylinder of normal construction which may be fabricated from steel or other suitable material. The rollers 38-39 are supported rotatably by shafts 41 and 42 respectively, which are mounted in bearing assemblies di), secured to the upper flanges of the longitudinal channels 21. The rollers 38-39 are rotated by means of a driving apparatus 43 set at the ground level. The driving apparatus 43 is connected by means of a driving chain 44 to a sprocket fixed to the shaft 42. The shaft 42 is provided with a second sprocket over which Iis entrained a connecting chain 45 which rotatably connects the shaft 41 to the left. Thus the rollers 38 and 39 will be rotated in unison in the same direction by means of the single driving apparatus 43.

In order that the boards being tested may be hel-d under pressure against the peripheries of rollers `38 and 39, a second pair of rollers i6-47 is provided in conjunction with the first pair of rollers 3869. The rollers de-/i' are mounted with their central 'axes opposed to the axes of rollers 38, z39 in a line perpendicular to the board surfaces supported thereby. The structure of rollers #i6-t7 is identical to that of rollers 358-39 with the exception that the rollers i6-47 may be of slightly smaller outside diameter. Rollers 46-4-7 are mounted on support shafts Sti-51v respectively which are carried by bearing assemblies 48 fixed to the upper flanges of the support channels 27 in frame Ztl. Being fixed to frame 20 the rollers i6-47 are vertically adjustable relative to framework 1i) and therefore relative to the first pair of rollers 118-39.

In order to attain accurate results in the determination of lumber stiffness, it is necessary that there be a fixed relation between the test conducted on each board. According to the present invention, in order to utilize high speed machinery, the fixed factor is the amount of deflection along a given length of board. With this factor being held at a constant quantity by the apparatus, the only variable is the amount of force required to effect such deflection. The first unit, which is above described, utilizes a first deflection roll 13 which is adapted to contact the underside of the board, as seen in FIGURE 1. The deflection roll 13 is preferably a metal cylinder mounted on a support shaft 52 for rotation about a transverse axis. The support shaft 52.in turn is rotatably carried by a support 53. The support 53 terminates in a longitudinal pivotal shaft 54 which is rotatably journalled by a force arm 56. The shaft 54 is held in place on arm 56 by means of a locking screw 55. The roll 13 is therefore rotatable first about its own central axis so as to move with the board. It is also rotatable about the central axis of shaft 54 which is aligned with the direction of movement of the board being tested. This last motion is provided so that the roll 13 may be self aligning with the surface of the board so as to minimize the effect of twist, warpage and board surface irregularities.

The mounting of the deection roll 13 on the frame 20 is very critical since the roll 13 must be accurately placed in order to insure proper deection of the board. The mounting bracket can best be seen in detail in FIG- URES 6 through 9. It includes a transverse angle iron 57 which is fixed to the rear edge of the force arm 56. A similar transverse angle iron 58 is mounted between the channels 27 on the frame 20 by means of two angular end mounts 60. Connecting the two angle irons 57 and 58 yare three iiat strips of spring steel. The central vertical strip 61 is held against the outside vertical surfaces of the angle irons '7 and 58 by means of locking plates 62 and 63. These plates 62 and 63 are merely rectangular plates having recesses adapted to receive the very thin strip 61. Two horizontal spring strips 64 ank the central strip 61 in order to increase the resistance to rotation about a vertical axis. The strips 64 are held in place by similar locking plates 65 and 66 mounted on the outside horizontal surfaces of the angle irons 57 and S8 respectively. Thus a fulcrum is provided for the force arm 56 which is extremely stable but which will allow vertical motion of the roll 13 in a limited degree.

The positioning of the force roll 13 is maintained by means of a force cell 67. The particular force cell utilized is commercially available and is manufactured by The Wiancko Engineering Company, 255 N. Halstead, Pasadena, California. The force cell 67, illustrated in the drawings; is designated as, Wiancko type F 1050, and is described as a force pick-up. Other types of force measuring devices may be utilized, although this particular device is well adapted to the instant apparatus. The force cell 67 includes a vertical ring 68 which is quite rigid. Thus the force cell 67 may be thought of as an extremely stil spring with electronic means for measuring its deection. These means include a coil 62 and a movable core 63 which are respectively attached to the two diametrical inside bosses of ring 68. The ring 68 is connected by a top boss connection 70 to the front nose of the force arm 67, as seen in FIGURE 8. The lower boss connection 71 of ring 68 is directly connected to a cross member 71a rigidly tixed between the support channels 27 on frame 20. The amount of deflection necessary to produce the maximum recordable force of this unit is .005 inch. Thus it can be seen that the variation in the board deection between zero load and maximum load will be so small as to be negligible. For purposes of this discussion the position of the rst detlection roll 13 may be taken as being substantially xed relative to the second pair of rollers 46 and 47 so that the detiection of the board may be considered a constant.

The frame 20 is urged upwardly to thereby move the second pair o rollers 46-47 toward the iirst pair of rollers 3839 by means of two diaphragms 74. The diaphragms 74 are mounted at each end of the frame 20 on the underside of the intermediate cross braces 26. The diaphragms 74 are conventional and have actuating rods 75 which can be moved vertically in response to air pressure supplied through hoses 79 to the underside of the diaphragm assemblies 74. By regulating the air pressure through hoses 79 one may regulate the pressure exerted by the rollers 46 and 47 upon a board backed by rollers 38 and 39. The actuating rods 75 are fixed to the cross tubes 28 of frame 20 by means of locking nuts 76. The .amount of movement possible by frame 20 is limited by limit bars 77, rigidly mounted on the upright channels 22 (see FIGURE l0). These limit bars 77 are provided with bolts 78 which can be adjusted by means of locking nuts 80 so as to abut the top surfaces of the channels 27 in frame 20 and thereby limit upward movement of the frame 20. The upper limit of movement of frame 20 should be such that the rollers 46-47 are separated from rollers 38-39 by a distance slightly less than the thickness of the boards being tested. This separation must be changed for each thickness of board being tested. However, since the instant machine is designed for operation under production procedures wherein large quantities of a single thickness of board will be processed, such adjustments will not be required except at infrequent intervals.

Since the boards travelling through this unit are deflected, they must be guided between the various rollers so as to eliminate shock loading of the rollers and their respective bearings by impact of the boards against the roller surfaces and to minimize the effect of such irnpact on preceding elements. This is accomplished lirst by means of a horizontal guide plate 81, mounted just forward of the first deiiection roll 13. The guide plate 81 is fixed to the lower anges of longitudinal channels 21 by means of mounting screws 82 and variable shirns S3. The top surface of the guide plate 81 should be positioned just slightly below the top peripheral surface of the deection roll 13. Thus incoming boards will be guided across the top of roil E3 in a tangential relationship and will not jar the roll 13 and thereby possibly damage the tulcrum or force cell 67 due to shock loading.

The board, after being deflected, will tend to continue upwardly past the roll 13. In order to minimize this eiecta top guide plate 84 is provided. The guide plate S4 is actually an inverted channel xed to the top cross braces 25 by means of mounting bolts 85. The plate 84 extends substantially between the two rollers 38-39 and serve to deflect the board downwardly so as to enter between the second rollers 39 and 47 with minimum shock.

It is also important to the efciency of this testing apparatus that the boards be properly centered on the deection roll 13. The boards to be tested should be positioned accurately on roll 13 so as to allow the roll 13 to pivot about its central pivotal shaft 54 and thereby 1balance out the twist or surface irregularities which might occur on the lower board surface. This lateral positioning of the board is accomplished by means of a longitudinal lead bar 86. The length of lead bar 56 is slightly greater than the axial distance between the rollers 33 and 39. Thu-s the board is guided throughout the entire length where its deflection is being measured. In order to provide such a guide without disturbing the testing procedure it is necessary that the lead bar be slightly bowed in a longitudinal direction as seen in a vertical view such as FGURE l0. The thickness of the leadV bar 86 in a vertical direction must be less than the thickness of the boards to be tested so that the lead bar S6 is never contacted by any of the rolls or the tirst deiiection roll 13. The lead bar 86 is mounted across two transverse angle braces 39 which are secured to the upright channels 22. At each end of the two testing units is provided a series of subsidiary rollers 1S. The axial positions of rollers 1S are inclined longitudinally so as to tangentially contact the boards being tested in a simple beam coniiguration. The rollers 13 are mounted on support shafts 87 which are rotatably carried by outside bearings 88. The rollers 18 are positioned on a mounting plate 90 which is carried by support bolts 91 and `which is spring biased in an upward direction by compression springs 92. Motion of plate 90 is limited by adjustable stops 92a. Thus the rollers 1S will serve to minimive transmission or" outside forces to the area being tested. Thus weaknesses in a board in an area other than that being tested will not invalidate the strength determination of the board in the length which is being tested. Mounted between the two sets of subsidiary rollers 13 are conventional photoelectric cells 99 and lamps 99a. These units 99 and 99a are positioned so as to receive the boards between them and thereby block the light connection from the lamp 99a to the cell 99.

The mechanical operation of this unit is quite simple :and should be evident from the above description. Boards being fed between the first rollers 38 and 46 will be guided initially by the horizontal guide plate 81 and Vwill be positioned tangentially over the first deflection roll 13. The successive motion of the board will carry it against the top guide plate 84 and eventually through the second rollers 39-47. The lateral positioning of the board will be maintained adjacent the lead bar S6. In ,order to insure that the board does remain against the lead bar 86, it is `advisable that the rollers 38-39 be offset slightly from the perpendicular Ilateral position. This slight offset is not discernible from the drawings but is a conventional method of retaining boards against a lateral side edge. The board is then fully deflected after it has been engaged by the four rollers 38-39 and 1647 as well as the first deflection roll 13. At this time force readings may be taken from the force cell 67 in any desired manner. The particular manner in which these readings are taken will be described below. The pressure exerted by the second pair of rollers S6-47 should be sufficient to insure complete transverse contact of all four rolls with the board las it is being tested. This pressure eliminates the unwanted effects of board twist or bowing. For conventional lumber products it is intended that the overall test length be approximately five to six feet and that the deflection provided by the first roll 13 be approximately five-sixteenths of one inch.

The second testing unit is shown in FIGURES 3 and 5. This unit is very similar to that described above and Where the parts of the unit remain unchanged identical numerals will ,be utilized to designate these parts in the drawings. The frame of the second unit is a continuation of framework and includes the longitudinal channels 21. Thus a common frame member 21 is provided on each side of both testing units. The channels 21 are supported by upright channels 93 which yare taller than the previously described upright channels 22. This additional height is required to accommodate the upper positioning of the force roll in this unit so as to contact the upper surface of the board being tested. The upright channels 93 support a pair of longitudinal top channels 94- which are located above the longitudinal channels 21. The lower ends of the upright channels 93 are fixed to bottom angle braces 95 to again complete a rectangular box frame. The upright channels 93 are braced by diagonal braces 96 to Iadd rigidity to this frame. Top cross braces 97 are provided across the upper ends of the upright channels 93. The remaining portions of this fixed framework are identical to that in the left hand unit -previously described. The second unit is also provided with a movable frame 98 which is substantially identical to that frame 2i) previously described.

Mounted along the horizontal channel 21 `is a third pair of large rollers 19d-101. These rollers correspond to the previously described rollers 38-39. Rollers 1G0- 191 are supported by bearings 102 fixed to the top flanges of channels 21. Bearings 102 support shafts 103 yand 11M which respectively mount the rollers 10@ and 101 slightly below the level of rollers 38-39. The shafts 103- 164 are driven by a chain 1415 which is connected to a sprocket fixed to the shaft 42. Thus the four upper rollers :iS-39, 113114191 are drivingly connected by a common driving apparatus 43 and are rotated in unison to insure proper movement of the board yalong the longitudinal length of the testing machine.

Frame 9d is provided with a fourth pair of rollers 106- 1D7 whose axes are opposed to the axes of rollers 100- -ltblperfpendicular tothe contracted board surfacesl Rollers 10G-167 correspond to the second pair of rollers 46- 47 in the previously described unit. They are rotatably supported by bearings 168 mounted onthe channels 27 of the frame 98. Bearings 168 rotatably carry support. shafts 1119-119 which respectively mount the rollers 1116-107.

The second unit is provided with a second deiiection roll 16 which `is carried by a mounting apparatus identical to vthat described in the previous unit.` The only difference between this present arrangement and that above described is that the roll 16 and its mounting apparatus 4are inverted from the position illustrated in the earlier figures. The roll 16 is carried by the fixed framework 10 and is specifically mounted on the upper longitudinal channels 94. The roll 16 is provided with a force cell 111 identical in all respects to the force cell 67.

The frame 98 is biased upwardly in the same manner as is frame 2@ by means of air diaphragm motors '74. No change is required in this portion of the apparatus. Since the boards will be deflected oppositely in this unit to that deflection previously described the corresponding guide members must also be inverted from the positions described in the left hand unit. Thus the present unit is provided with an inverted horizontal guide plate 112 which is fixed between the channels 21. The Vlower surface of the guide plate 112 should be slightly kabove the'lowest peripheral lsurface of the second deflection roll 16.' The guide plate 112 is mounted by bolts 113 to a projection xed to the inside surfaces of they channels 21.

The lead bar 114 in this uni-t is also inverted from the position shown in the earlier unit. It is mounted across braces 115 fixed to the upright channels 93. The lead bar is fixed by mounting bolts 116. Lead bar 114 must be bowed longitudinally downward at .a central area so asuto provide clearance for t-he self al-igning deflection ro 16.

Since deection is in a downward direction it is necessary to provide alower guide plate 117 which corresponds -to lthe guide plate 84, previously described. Again the plate 117 is actually an inverted channel and is adjustably mounted on bolts 12thsupported by cross braces 118 mounted on the frame 98. The positioning of the guide plate 117 will therefore be insured relative to -the lower pair Iof rollers 16d-1117 so as to prevent damage to the bearings 19S by shock loading against the outer surface of the second roller 107.

The operation of this unit is merely the V.inverse of the previous unit.V The second deflection roll 16 is'substanftially fixe-d relative to the fixed rollers 1004101. The two units should have identical dimensions so that the defiection in one direction will be identical to the defiection in the opposite direction. Thus by deflecting the board in two different directions all effects of board weight and longitudinal bowing will be eliminated. Y

The basic principle -of testing in this apparatus is to provide automatic measurement of the force required to produce the fixed deiiection. The boards are assumed to be of standard dimensions at the lout-feed end of a planer. The machine must be manually reset for each change of cross section thickness. The variati-ons in the normal product from standard cross section will not affect the stiffness value as .indicated by the instant machine. Such variation would effect the measurement of the modulus of elasticity and should such measurement-s be desired, automatic measurement of thickness and width would be required. As is necessary in all measurements of bending stress and strain in lumber the effect of non-homogeneity of the material along lit-s length must be neglected. The present machine has been demonstrated to yield practical results. Y

The present machine applies `a single concentrated load to produce a fixed amount of deection along a given length of board between the end supporting rolls. The

reaction from this fixed deflection would yield a triangular bending moment diagram. By moving the boar-d the result is similar to a trapezoidal diagram of a two point concentrated load with constant bending moment between the loads. In order to provide an accurate determination of the board stiffness and therefore the board strength, it is necessary to periodically record the force exerted on the two detiect-ion rolls 13 and 16. The monitoring of this force is accomplished by a general electronic scheme illustrated in FIGURE 1. It is to be understood that this scheme is merely a generalized showing and is not intended to limit the present inven-tion to any particular components. Obviously the force may be mon-itored manually or by other automati-c `systems as may be desired in any particular installation.

The Wiancko type F 1050 force pick up utilized as the force cells 67 and 111 has been previously described. These pick ups are wired to the input connection of a suitable high frequency oscillator 121 which are shown in FIGURE 1, and which are individually connected to the two force -cells 57 and 111. The oscillators 121 are yadapted to produce oscillations between 10,000 c.p.s. and 12,500 c.p.s. The output frequency of the oscillators 121 wil-l be determined by the positioning of the core and coil in the respective force cell. The output of the oscillators 121 are monitored by counters 122 of standard design. The two counters are designated by the numerals 122. The count-ers 122 are actuated by means of the photoelectric cells 99. `Thus the left hand counter 122 is connected to the left cell 99 and also to the center cell '99. The right hand counter 122 `is connected to the center cell e@ and t 1e right hand cell 99. The cell 99 at the right -of each unit initiates the counter 122 for that unit so that force readings will be taken during the interval in which the board traverses the roll-s `of that unit. The cell 99 at the left of each unit terminates this counting procedure by turning off the counter 122 for that unit. The electronic components can have a very rapid resolution so that boands passing in quick succession will automatically turn the counters 122 on and off so that the readings from one board will not be confused with those of the next. The `two counters 122 are wired to a unit 123 which analyzes the readings from the counters 122 and averages the force determination to produce an output signal to one of several sets of output terminals 124. A typical analyzer 123 would be a digital comparator such as those produced in the 3180 series by the Berkeley Division of Beckman Instrument Incorporated, 2200 Wright Ave., Richmond, California. This comparator scans the readings of the two counters 122 until anraverage level is found. When this level has been ascertained it will a-ctuate the suitable -output 124 to thereby control the output apparatus. The terminals 124 may produce visual signals or may be utilized to control an automatic stamping apparatus designed to grade each piece of lumber as it emerges from this testing unit. The terminals `1211i could also be utilized ,to control an automatic sort-ing device to sort the boards according to their stiffness.

Thus it can be seen that the present invention contemplates an automatic high speed testing device for determining t-he `stiffness of lumber .according to the novel method described at the beginning of this specification. It-should be obvious that modifications in the mechanical parts described specifically above may be made without deviating from the bro-ad scope of this invention. For this reason only the following claims are intended to define my invention.

Hav-ing thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An apparatus for determining the stiffness of a wooden board moving parallel to its length in a longitudinal direction comprising:

a supporting framework;

first, second and third support means mounted on said framework in successive aligned longitudinally spaced positions, each of said support means being adapted 10 to contact opposed board surfaces of the board along longitudinally spaced transverse lines as it moves across said support means in a longitudinal direction relative to said framework;

iirst deflection means mounted on said framework for limited motion relative thereto intermediate said first and second support means adapted to contact a first of said opposed board surfaces along a transverse line intermediate the lines of contact of said first and second support means, the perpendicular distance between the plane containing the lines of contact of said first and second support means and the second of said opposed board surfaces and a parallel plane containing the line of contact of said first deflection means and the rst of said opposed board surfaces being less than the board thickness measured between said opposed board surfaces:

second deflection means mounted on said framework for limited motion relative thereto intermediate said second and third support means adapted to contact the second of said opposed board surfaces along a transverse line intermediate the lines of contact of said second and third support means, the perpendicular distance between the plane containing the lines of contact of said second and third support means and the first of said opposed board surfaces and a parallel plane containing the line of contact of said second deflection means and the second of said opposed `board surfaces being less than the board thickness measured between said opposed board surfaces;

and means operatively connected to said first and second deflection means adapted to indicate the stiffness of a board contacted thereby.

2. An apparatus for determining the stiffness of a wooden board moving parallel to its length in a longitudinal direction, comprising:

a supporting framework;

first, second and third support means mounted on said framework in successive aligned longitudinally spaced positions, said first and third support means being adapted to contact first and second opposed board surfaces, respectively, of the board as it moves across said support means in a longitudinal direction relative to said framework, said second support means being adapted to Contact each of said rst and second opposed board surfaces;

first deflection means mounted on said framework for limited motion relative thereto intermediate said first and second support means in longitudinal alignment therewith adapted to contact the second of said opposed board surfaces, the perpendicular distance between the plane containing the lines of contact of said first and second support means and the first of said opposed board surfaces and a parallel plane containing the line of contact of said first deflection means and the second of said opposed board surfaces being less than the board thickness measured between said opposed board surfaces;

second deflection means mounted on said framework for limited motion relative thereto intermediate said second and third support means in longitudinal alignment therewith adapted to contact the first of said opposed board surfaces, the perpendicular distance between the plane containing the lines of contact of said second and third support means and the second of said opposed board surfaces and a parallel plane containing the line of contact of said second deflection means and the first of said opposed board surfaces being less than the board thickness measured between said opposed board surfaces;

and means operatively connected to said first and seci ond deflection means adapted to indicate the stiffness of a board contacted thereby. 3. An apparatus for determining the stiffness of a wooden board moving parallel to its length in a longitudinal direction, comprising:

a supporting framework;

a first pair of longitudinally aligned rollers mounted on a deection roll mounted on said framework conjointly with said first pair of rollers, said defiection roll being mounted transversely of the framework for limited motion relative thereto intermediate the rollers of said first pair and beingY adapted to tangentially contact one of said opposed board surfaces, the perpendicular distance between a plane containing the lines of contact of said second pair of rollers and the moving board and a parallel plane containing the line of contact of said deflection roll and the moving board being less than the board thickness measured between said opposed surfaces;

lateral guide means mounted on said framework adapted to coact with the rollers of said first and second pairs to maintain the moving board in contact with said deflection roll during passage between the respective rollers of said first and second pairs;

and means operatively connected to said deflection roll adapted to indicate the stiffness of a board passing between said first and second pair of rollers. The device as defined in claim 3 wherein the rollers of one of said pairs of rollers are mounted on said framework for vertical motion relative to the rollers of the other pair of rollers, and further comprising:

biasing means connected between said framework and the mounting of the vertically movable rollers adapted to urge said last named rollers toward the rollers of the remaining pair of rollers, the amount of force exerted by said biasing means being sufficient to normally insure full contact of each roller of both pairs across the full board width of the moving board.

An apparatus for determining the stiness of Wooden boards carried parallel to their lengths along a conveyor, comprising:

supporting framework located at the output end of the conveyor;

first pair of longitudinally aligned rollers mounted on said framework about fixed longitudinally spaced rotational axes, said first pair of rollers being adapted to engage moving boards along longitudinally spaced transverse lines as they emerge from the conveyor;

movable frame mounted within the boundaries of said framework vertically adjacent said rst pair of rollers;

means connecting said frame and said framework adapted to guide said frame for vertical motion relative to said framework;

a second pair of rollers mounted on said frame adapted to engage the board surface opposed to that engaged by said first pair of rollers, the rollers of said second pair being respectively opposed to the rollers of said first pair with the axes of Vopposed rollers being located in planes perpendicular to the engaged board surfaces;

biasing means connecting said frame and said framev Work adapted tourge said frame in a direction wherein said second pair of rollers are forced toward l2 said first pair of rollers, the force exerted on said frame by said biasing means being sufiicient to insure tangential contact of a board by each roller of n said first and second pairs of rollers;

a first deflection roll mounted on said frame about a transverse rotational axis positioned intermediate the axes of said second pair of rollers, said first deflection roll being located on said frame so as to contact boards passing between said first and second pair of rollers at an elevation displaced toward said first pair of rollers from a plane containing the lines of contact of said second pair of rollers and the moving boards;

a third pair of longitudinally aligned rollers mounted on said framework about fixed longitudinally spaced rotational axes, said third pair of rollers being adapted to tangentially engage moving boards along longitudinally spaced transverse lines as they emerge from between said first and second pairs of rollers;

a fourth pair of rollers mounted on said framework adapted to engage the board surface opposed to that engaged by said third pair of rollers, the rollers of said fourth pair being respectively opposed to the rollers of said third pair with the axes of opposed rollers being located in planes perpendicular to the engaged board surfaces;

biasing means connecting said fourth pair of rollers and said framework adapted to urge said fourth pair -of rollers toward said third pair of rollers, the force exerted on said fourth pair of rollers being sufficient to insure tangential contact of a board by each roller of said third and fourth pair of rollers;

a second detiection roll mounted on said framework about a transverse rotational axis positioned intermediate the axes of said third pair of rollers, said second deflection roll being located on said frame- Work so as to Contact 'boards passing between said third and fourth pairs of rollers at an elevation displaced toward said fourth pair of rollers from a plane containing the lines of contact of said third pair of rollers and the moving boards;

and means operatively connected to said first and second deiiection rolls adapted to indicate the individual force exerted on each of said deflection rolls by the moving boards.

6. The device as defined in claim 5, wherein said first and second defiection rolls are mountedon said frame and framework respectively for pivotal motion about longitudinal axes parallel to the direction of motion of the boards.

'7. The device as defined in claim 5 wherein said last named means comprises individual compressive force cells adapted to indicate compressive force amplitude, said cells being respectively mounted between said first deflection roll and the frame and between said second deflection roll and the framework.

An apparatus for indicating the longitudinal stiffness of a wooden board, comprising:

a supporting framework;

first and second support means on said framework in longitudinally spaced locations adapted to contact a first surface of a board along longitudinally spaced transverse lines during movement of the board in a longitudinal direction relative to the framework;

deection means mounted on said framework at a longitudinally alignedV position intermediate said first and second support means, including force applying means mounted on said framework for limited move- Yment .relative thereto in a direction perpendicular to a first plane containingrthe lines of contact of said first and second support means and the board, said Y force applying means being adapted to contact a second surface of the board opposite to said first surface as the board moves in contact with said first and second support means, the perpendicular dis- 13 tance between said first Iplane land a parallel plane tangential to the area of contact of said force applying means and the board being less than the board thickness between the two contacted board surfaces;

and means on said framework operatively connected to said deflection means adapted to indicate the stiffness of the board during contact of the board by said first and second support means and said deflection means.

a first set of transverse rollers mounted on said frame- 9. An apparatus for indicating the longitudinal stiffness of a wooden board, comprising:

a supporting framework; first and second support means on said framework in longitudinally spaced locations, each including a pair of opposed transverse rollers adapted to tan- 15 yieldable means operatively connected between said framework and one of said sets of rollers adapted to yieldably urge said one set of rollers toward the remaining set of rollers;

deflection means mounted on said framework includgentially contact first and second opposed surfaces of a board during movement of the board in a longitudinal direction relative to the framework;

deflection means mounted on said framework including a transverse roll longitudinally spaced from said first and second sets of rollers in parallel alignment therewith, said deflection means including force applying means operatively connected between said ing a transverse roll located in a longitudinally framework and said roll adapted to limit motion of aligned position intermediate said first and second said roll relative to said framework in a direction support means, said deflection means including force perpendicular to said first and second planes, said applying means operatively connected between said roll being adapted to tangentially contact tbe board framework and said roll adapted to limit motion of along one of said opposed board surfaces as the said roll relative to said framework in a direction board moves relative to the framework in contact perpendicular to a first plane containing the lines of with said first and second sets of rollers, the percontact of said first and second support means and pendicular distance between said first and second a first of said opposed board surfaces, said roll being planes and a parallel plane containing the line of adapted to tangentially contact the second of said Contact of the roll and board being less than the opposed board surface as the board moves relative board thickness between said first and second opto the framework in contact with said first and secposed board surfaces;

ond support means, the perpendicular distance be- .and means on said framework operatively connected tween said first plane and a parallel plane containing to said deflection means adapted to indicate the stiffthe tangential line of contact of said roll and the ness of the board during contact of the board by second of said board surfaces being less than the said first and second sets of rollers and by said deboard thickness between the two opposed board surfaces;

and means on said framework operatively connected to said deflection means adapted to indicate the stiffflection means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS ness of the board during contact of the board by 2,032,989 3/36 Kenney et al. 73-100 X gfsfn Second Support means and Said de 2,444,245 6/48 Campben 73- 144 2,693,107 11/54 Faden 73-100 10. An apparatus for indicating the longitudinal stiffness of a wooden board, comprising:

a Supporting framework; RICHARD C. QUEISSER, Przmary Examzner. 

8. AN APPARATUS FOR INDICATING THE LONGITUDINAL STIFFNESS OF A WOODEN BOARD COMPRISING: A SUPPORTING FRAMEWORK; FIRST AND SECOND SUPPORT MEANS ON SAID FRAMEWORK IN LONGITUDINALLY SPACED LOCATIONS ADAPTED TO CONTACT A FIRST SURFACE OF A BOARD ALONG LONGITUDINALLY SPACED TRANSVERSE LINES DURING MOVEMENT OF THE BOARD IN A LONGITUDINAL DIRECTION RELATIVE TO THE FRAMEWORK; DEFLECTION MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID FREAMEWORK AT A LONGITUDINALLY ALIGNED POSITON INTERMEDIATE SAID FIRST AND SECOND SUPPORT MEANS, INCLUDING FORCE APPLYING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID FRAMEWORK FOR LIMITED MOVEMENT RELATIVE THERETO IN A DIRECTION PERPENDICULAR TO A FIRST PLANE CONTAINING THE LINES OF CONTACT OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND SUPPORT MEANS AND THE BOARD, SAID FORCE APPLYING MEANS BEING ADAPTED TO CONTACT A SECOND SURFACE OF THE BOARD OPPOSITE TO SAID FIRST SURFACE AS THE BOARD MOVES IN CONTACT WITH SAID FIRST AND SECOND SUPPORT MENAS, THE PERPENDICULAR DISTANCE BETWEEN SAID FIRST PLANE AND A PARALLEL PLANE TANGENTIAL TO THE AREA OF CONTACT OF SAID FORCE APPLYING MEANS AND THE BOARD BEING LESS THAN THE BOARD THICKNESS BETWEEN THE TWO CONTACTED BOARD SURFACES; AND MEANS ON SAID FRAMEWORK OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID DEFLECTION MEANS ADAPTED TO INDICATE THE STIFFNESS OF THE BOARD DURING CONTACT OF THE BOARD BY SAID FIRST AND SECOND SUPPORT MEANS AND SAID DEFLECTION MEANS. 